Olongapo mayor slams SCTEX over pastor’s death

By Bebot Sison Jr

OLONGAPO CITY – A pastor from this city died last week after a carabao suddenly crossed his path while driving along Sitio Binalaba, Barangay Dampe, Floridablanca Pampanga portion of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Pastor Lucio Fuerte Miranda, 68, Head Pastor of the I Care Fellowship Center, was rushed to the Romana Pangan District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The fatal accident prompted Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino to issue a warning to his constituents and other motorists that it may not be safe anymore to drive inside the expressway.

“Why was there a carabao inside the expressway?” the mayor asked.

“We have always looked at the expressway as a means not only for convenient and faster way to travel but also because it is supposed to be safe,” Paulino told Subic Bay News.

“That is why we gladly pay the toll fees, to ensure safe, convenient, faster travel, now it seems that is not the case anymore,” the mayor added.

Paulino said Miranda is one of his spiritual advisers.

According to a report prepared by Floridabanca Police Station police chief Supt Dulnoan Dinamling Jr., the incident happened at around 4:30 AM on May 29 and the police station was informed by SCTEX Traffic Supervisor Anthony Martinez around 5:40Am of the vehicular accident inside the expressway.

Responding policemen found in there scene the dead body of Miranda, his white Nissan Urvan and the dead carabao.

The report did not say how the carabao managed to get in the expressway.

Mylene Miranda, 38, eldest daughter of the pastor said when they passed by the scene of accident, they saw SCTEX people trying to repair fence on the side of the expressway.

She said SCTEX management did not offer them any help and even charged them P6,000 for the towing his father’s vehicle to the impounding area and charging them P6,000 again to two the vehicle to Olongapo City.